An Embodiment of Souls

by Julia Laurel

As the daughter of a foreign ambassador, Rissa hoped living abroad would protect her from home’s puritanical customs where women are forbidden to walk at night or use magic except to support a necromancer’s dual identity. Alek, the youngest prince of the Memric Isle, hasn’t yet taken his Second body. Fearing he’ll be accused of sin and his body claimed as a Second himself, Alek lives piously while studying abroad, even though he’s distracted by magic—and his handsome roommate, Gable. When Alek meets Rissa by chance, his quiet life is thrown into chaos. One of Rissa’s fathers has been abducted, and Alek and Gable are witnesses. Alek and Rissa form a secret alliance to find her father and uncover the truth behind the conspiracy, risking life and freedom as they follow clues straight to the heart of the Memric Isle’s government.

Genres: Fantasy, Queer, Adult, Romance, LGBT

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 10, 2026

About the author

Julia Laurel is a graphic designer, illustrator, and outdoor adventurer living in the Inland Northwest. She writes speculative fiction to dream up strange places, celebrate neurodivergent and queer identities and romance, and explore the dangers of conformity. An Embodiment of Souls is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Gaby | read.onrepeat]

Buckle up, I’m about to start gushing about this book.

I have no idea how to review it because every time I try to summarize it, I leave out the thing that impressed me most. It was that good.

I came for the necromancy and the queer tag, and got one of the best magic systems I’ve read in a long time.

It starts with necromancy.

Then two bodies.

Then religion.

Then memory.

Then questions of gender identity.

Then authoritarianism.

Then love.

In this world, people can communicate with the dead and even inhabit two bodies: one that remains pure and one that’s allowed to sin. I became obsessed with the implications of that magic.

It reminded me of Blood Over Bright Haven in the sense that both explore oppression through religion. Only this book did it so much better. We didn’t get a lecture on “women can do it better”. We got a story that shows you and lets you decide.

And then the author hit me with “like a pencil held in the wrong hand” when a woman inhabits a male body 🤯

I actually had to stop reading for a second.

The implications this could have for gender identity! It wasn’t representation added as a bonus but a natural consequence of the magic system. Every magical rule here has emotional, political, and philosophical consequences.

The only thing that kind of bothered me is that I expected it to feel more adult than it did. The ideas are ambitious, but the protagonists are still very young, and their perspectives made the story read more like YA at times.

By the end, I was thinking about societies using religion to create narratives of power long enough that they become truth.

Julia Laurel, I love your brain.



**Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC. All opinions are my own.






______
📝 Pre-read
Men can have two bodies here. The first body is the pure one and the second is used to sin.
Yes sir, sign me up.

[The Reading Frog (semi ia, sick)]

Thank you to Julia Laurel, Union Square & Co. & NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review

Rating: 4.75/5 ⭐
CW: This book is not graphic but deals with heavy subject matter regardless. There is a big focus on institutional, social and personal exploitation and oppression. Check the content warnings if you need them!
Explicit | (Internalised) sexism/misogyny, bigotry, classism, racism, xenophobia
Moderate | (Internalised) homophobia, (physical) child abuse, burn injury description, confinement, death, drug use (a fantasy version of it), effects of starvation, fade to black/non-explicit sex scene, manipulation, police brutality, violence (specifically towards women)
Mild | (Past) parental loss, brief suicidal ideation (a fantasy version of it), exploitation of the lower class, exploitation of women, gun violence, involuntary sedation/drugging, mention of femicide, misgendering, sexual harassment, sexwork
My chosen soundtrack(s): In Your Likeness - Woodkid | The Victim - Slow Funeral | Brutus - The Buttress

“You’d sin for me.”
“Every day.”

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I honestly can’t believe this is a debut novel. Julia Laurel has crafted an amazingly detailed, unique world filled with wonderfully complex and layered characters that will stay with me beyond its final page. The strong emphasis on social commentary throughout makes this a truly impactful read. It’s definitely one of my favourite reads of 2026!

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Representation
╰┈➤ Queer characters
‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Gay MC(s)
‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Implied Bi/Pan MC(s)
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Gay/Lesbian/Bi side/background characters, including ones of an older age
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Gender-queer, genderfluid, and implied transfemme side/background characters
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Newel is implied to be a queer-normative kingdom
╰┈➤ Queer dynamics
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ MLM dynamic(s)
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Minor WLW dynamic(s)
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Background/mentioned sapphic polyamory
╰┈➤ Unspecified BIPOC representation
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Newel as a kingdom is implied to consist mostly, if not only, of brown-skinned people
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Gable, an MC, is Newelin and is described as having freckled brown skin and thick copper curls.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✴︎ Victor, a SC, is Newelin and is described as having brown skin and long, curling copper hair.


Themes
(Not) abiding by social norms, classism, culture clashes, deprogramming, double standards, exploitation, generational trauma, hypocrisy, ignorance, kingdoms/social groups with opposing cultures, necromancy, opression, paradigm shift, patriarchal/sexist/misogynistic society, political intrigue, privilege or the lack thereof, purism, religious guilt (the fantasy version of it), resistance/rebelism, self-denial, sinning, the nuances and levels of privilige, toxic masculinity, "Who are you when you are not performing?", xenophobia.


Tropes/What to expect
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Social commentary
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Dual POV
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Dynamic between MCs from opposing factions
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Religious guilt
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Touch starved MC
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Flawed, morally ambiguous and complex characters
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ (Found) family
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ "Touch him, and you'll die"
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Queer-centric
‎ ‎ ‎ ❥ Unapologetically feminist


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What I liked/loved
I want to start this review by apologising for its length. I REALLY loved this one, and apparently, that makes me totally unable to be normal about it.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ The worldbuilding in this novel blew me away!
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ The story is set in two kingdoms: Newel, a carefree, tolerant, and queer-normative society, and The Memric Isle, a stern, stoic, misogynistic kingdom governed by a purist, oppressive religion.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Both of these kingdoms and cultures are extremely well crafted, detailed and have believable reasons for being the way they are. They have specific clothing, makeup styles, architecture, customs, dishes, specific social events and holidays.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Necromancy and the very unique First/Second body system. Memric higher class men have two bodies filled with their consciousness. The body they are born in gets referred to as their First. It is expected/demanded that this body will remain pure and stoic.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Another body is used as a proxy and controlled via necromancy to absorb sin, without staining the First body. This sin-bearing body is referred to as their Second.

Second bodies were allowed to show emotion, to be friendly and kind, to inquire about a friend’s health or tell a family member that you love them—or to get angry and growl at someone to tighten up their appearance. If you performed enough recitations to the god of Discipline, you could also use Seconds to fight, gamble, cheat, gossip, blaspheme, and have lustful affairs.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Political intrigue. The story follows diverse characters from various backgrounds and political views, showing how upbringing, society, and who one associates with influences where they fall on the scale from Newelin to Memric norms.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ There are extremists, traditionalists, Memrics who are no longer considered Memric enough, those who are ignorant, those who are kept out of the loop, reformists and rebels. Some comply regardless of personal opinion, and others make their opposition loudly known.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Of course, there is also the aspect of Alek being part of the royal family of The Memric Isle and the political games and power struggles that come with such ruling monarchic factions.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Powerful intersectional social commentary highlighting the damage of ignorance, (unknowing) complicity, flawed systems, personal privilege, systemic oppression, the discomfort of unlearning doctrines and compromising morals for survival. It doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable look in the mirror or the levels of dehumanisation/objectification that still, unfortunately, reflect real life.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Misogyny, patriarchal societies and feminism | Newelin women are treated as second-class citizens and their husbands' property. They must remain chaperoned, are expected to maintain strict purity (unlike men, who have a second body to sin with), stay subservient, and are exploited for their magic. Breaking these rules leads to heavy and horrific punishment and social ostracisation. I love how the author explores internalised misogyny and that ignorance isn't limited to men.

(...) I don’t understand why anyone lives there, or why the women keep putting up with it when they can leave.”
Helane’s voice firmed. “Rissa. Think about it for two seconds. Where would we go? Who’s paying for us to emigrate? Who would take us in when all of our family and friends live there? When we weren’t taught languages or skills in school, and have children depending on us? Why do you think the women put up with it?”
Cold shock sliced through Rissa. (...) Of course the women couldn’t always leave. They didn’t have a choice.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Classism | Explores how the ruling class created a system that exploits the lower class while simultaneously blame-shifting in a way that centres the lower class as problematic instead of the creators of said system.

Seconds had once been lower-class men who’d committed great sins, their bodies cleansed of their souls and given to upper-class necromancers when they came of age.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Xenophobia and racism | Everything that is not Memric is considered wrong and sinful. Which is why a lot of Memrics are unapologetically bigoted, xenophobic, and racist. In this case, specifically to anyone who is Newelin. Which is hard to read, but definitely not an exaggeration of real-life scenarios.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Theocracy | The novel explores the dangers of a theocratic government through Memric society. Memric religion is inherently exclusionary, punitive, anti-women and anti-otherness, which is reflected in the way its people are governed.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Hypocrisy and double standards | Specifically, when it comes to gender based expectations and shaping religion to suit personal agendas.

They (...) thanked the god of Discipline for their safe arrival. In the same breath, they blamed Passion for their lateness.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Emotional repression| Exploration of toxic masculinity, emotional stoicism and how extreme repression creates a pressure chamber that will inevitably pop. No one can always 100% be pure or perfect. Regardless, Firsts and those without a Second body are expected to perform as such.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ While tackling dark and heavy themes, this story regards them as problematic and something to be fought. It's clear that Laurel does not explore these aspects to be edgy or for shock value, but to criticise modern-day problems through a fantastical setting.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I believe you can tell when an author genuinely cares about certain topics and/or did their research, which was definitely the case with this novel. This might sound a little weird, but I love that the magic/social system, to its core, is exploitative, morally wrong and obviously broken. It leaves no room for justification and clearly condemns it.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Well-rounded, flawed, complex (main) characters who feel like real people and go through fascinating, believable character arcs.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Rissa | A very capable, daring, assertive, and strong-willed yet somewhat ignorant woman shaped by both her Memric and Newelin fathers, struggling against the mould enforced upon her because of her gender. This quote is all you need to know about Rissa:

"I always say what I think, and I guess it bothers people."
"Well, you'd burn your way to the top of Memric society if you were a man."

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Alek | A seemingly completely perfect, pure, pious Memric Prince who has not yet taken on a Second and is thus considered to be in more danger of becoming stained with sin. He'll definitely stay completely disciplined and won't be tempted into anything sinful while studying in Newel and rooming with his gorgeous friend, right?
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Gable | An easy-going Newelin guy. He is magically powerful, a great friend and roommate to Alek. Sometimes there seems to be something hidden under his carefree smile, but don't worry about it! It's probably nothing.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Helane | A way too young bride to an older Memric man, and a powerful necromancer who is seemingly the perfect picture of an obedient and pious Memric woman... or is she?
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Emphasis on how circumstances shape people’s behaviours and decisions, which don’t always reflect their true character. Laurer treats her characters with the respect and the nuance they deserve. They are not dumbed down to one-dimensional beings. I applaud Julia Laurel for her ability to make me care and sympathise with characters whose actions I didn't agree with. This author truly shines when it comes to grey areas and ambiguity.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Interesting dynamics between (main)characters. Specifically, the one between Rissa and Alek. Alek, who is expected to portray a certain image of 'manliness' that restricts him like an ill-fitting jacket, while Rissa excels in those areas but is dismissed simply because she is not a man.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Strong female characters. Our two FMCs definitely fit that bill, but many more side and background female characters contribute. They highlight not only physical strength but also mental strength, strength in numbers, and strength hidden in the shadows, concealed by lowered faces and perceived submission.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ A queer romance sub-plot that was easy to root for, was satisfying and didn't upstage the important storybeats and social commentary.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✵ Yearning and Pining to the max! Insta-love/lust enjoyers, take a step back. Slow-burn enjoyers, come to the front and pick this book up.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Exploration of (found) family. I was especially intrigued by Rissa’s relationships with both her fathers, as well as the dynamic between the two men themselves. I don't know how to highlight what I loved about it without spoiling, but I'll try.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ There is a specific scene centred around their dynamic, a certain climax after a long build of tension, which really touched me and brought me to tears. I truly felt connected to these characters. I love how there is such an interesting plot without losing this character-driven aspect and emotional quality.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Unique premise and a lack of predictability that kept me on my toes. I hate that I do this, but I tend to try to predict what will happen, and unfortunately, I'm pretty good at it. In this case, there was a lot I didn't see coming. Yes, plot twists, but also just the normal story beats. Something about this storyline felt really fresh and unique.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✧ Focus on nuance, intersectionality, and moves away from black-and-white thinking. One can't summarise each and every experience of oppression in one sentence. It's layered, complex and intersectional. Binary thinking doesn't do these issues justice. Sometimes one is oppressed while simultaneously being a part of and sometimes even benefiting from this oppressive system. Sometimes this system is all one knows, unaware of other options. Sometimes one has to choose between two evils. Sometimes that evil is chosen for the sake of the greater good or the long game. Often, there isn't a choice at all.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I love that Julia Laurel respects this reality.


What I didn't like/felt lacklustre about
‎ ‎ ‎ ✦ This is spoilery, so skip if you haven't read the book yet!!
The conclusion of the implied WLW connection felt somewhat vague and open to interpretation. I would've loved for that dynamic to rise a bit more above the b-text and make a more concrete statement on what type of relationship it entailed. I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be platonic, intimate, romantic, or perhaps a dynamic involving one character who might be ace and another who is not. I personally read it as romantic, but the ending left me with some questions. It’s possible I missed some context clues since I binge-read the book while tired.
‎ ‎ ‎ ✦ I love when books feature a diverse cast and representation. I am white, and thus I can't be the one to decide if the BIPOC representation is fully respectful and well done. I didn’t notice anything overtly problematic beyond the xenophobic behaviour, which the story clearly condemns.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ One aspect I’d like others to weigh in on is the aspect of white-default, aka skin colour only being mentioned in describing POC characters, while white characters are treated as the "default." Newelin characters' skin colour is mentioned way more often than that of the Memric (implied white) characters. We do, however, spend a lot of time in Newel, so there were statistically more POC, and this setting was established through those descriptions. I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this, specifically BIPOC reviewers.


Conclusion/Notes
This novel came out of left field and blew me away! I can't believe this is a debut novel and will definitely check out any of Julia Laurel's future projects.

It's clearly crafted with conscious care and attention to detail. The worldbuilding is extremely unique and serves as more than just a fantasy backdrop. The characters are lovable, complex and layered. I especially love that there are multiple queer main characters whose identities are integral to the plot. Discourse and social commentary were central to this story and a major reason why I love it so deeply.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves dystopian and speculative fiction, unique fantasy settings, feminist themes, social commentary, and queer-centric narratives.

An Embodiment of Souls is set to release on November 10, 2026. Be sure to add it to your TBR!


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[Ernie]

Full disclosure, as the author's agent I'm extremely biased.
But I have no chill and I can't wait for you all to read this incredible book. Add it to your want-to-read shelf RIGHT NOW!

[Kaiya]

3.75 rounded up!

This book is a little undercooked plot-wise & reads more like YA, but it had a very fresh premise! I think there are a lot of cool and interesting things going on here, especially the exploration of relative privilege (as complicated by wealth, sex, race, age, etc.).

There was a good bit of telling instead of showing, but I could forgive some of it as it resolved the YA-style conflicts before they started annoying me. The plot was a bit too easy and I didn’t really get attached to the characters, but I still had a good time reading it!

The queer-platonic marriage with side partnerships and ace rep was really nice. I like when books toss out the triangle trope and do something much cooler and more intricate

All in all a fun time! Thank you Annie <3

[Sierraaa]

2.5/5 stars, rounded to 3/5 for Goodreads

~~~
First, i would like to thank NetGalley, Union Square & Co., and Julia Laurel for the opportunity to read and review this book early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The premise of this book described in the blurb sounded very promising, but unfortunately i do not think this book was for me. I was excited about this take on necromancy, with men splitting their consciousnesses into second bodies, modeled after a religion surrounding gods known as Discipline, Purity, and Passion. and of course i was interested in a possible journey to recover the FMC’s missing father; however, i think this book was too choppy for me.

For starters, Rissa’s character was unbelievably whiny and inconsiderate of others. she’s supposed to be this super strong necromancer, but she causes multiple problems throughout the book with her constant miscommunication with other characters. i found the dual magic systems to be a bit hard to follow at times, because the magic was just thrown out without really being explained until almost the end. The dialogue was also abrupt here and there, and just didn’t feel that believable between the characters.

I do think one of this book’s redeeming qualities is its queer representation that is present throughout though! Memric society may shun those that don’t fit the country’s heteronormative views, but it doesn’t stop those characters from existing as they are.

I am unsure if there is going to be a second novel, and i don’t think i will read it if there is.

[Stephanie]

Thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy!

I wasn’t exactly sure where the story was going to explore. I found it so interesting and intriguing while getting to dive into misogyny and show casing the LBGTQ sub plot. I found it so satisfying to read and be immersed into this unique world while carefully taking into consideration of religion and the nuances it plays into the story. The characters are not perfect which immediately makes the story more genuine and authentic. It’s excellently well written and my hat goes off to the author for such a wonderful read!

[R]

Well, that was a bit of a letdown. I wouldn’t say this book was bad, but there were several times when I thought, “This could have been so much better.” An Embodiment of Souls is an adult queer fantasy novel with a touch of mystery and political intrigue, but I would say the core of the story is the romance. The relationship between Rissa, Alek, and Gable is vital to the plot and even when they are solving a mystery or trying to survive, the love story remains the main focus. I don’t know if this was intentional or simply because the characters were better developed than the plot itself.
Anyway, let's break down the pros and cons of this novel:

Pacing: The plot moves at a really good pace; my only issue was that the story seems to slow down as it progresses.

Themes: The story tackles complex issues like classism, homophobia, and sexism. However, the author tries to achieve so much intersectionality that most of these themes end up feeling superficial, with the exception of homophobia, sexism, and occasionally classism.

Queer Representation: I have mixed feelings about the queer representation and the discrimination depicted. On one hand, people in this world are aware of gay, lesbian, trans, genderqueer, and polyamorous identities, and they live their lives openly. Yet, at the same time, they face discrimination. It’s not "torture porn" by any means, but it feels a bit off. This is somewhat explained by the two main settings: Newel, the “progressive” country, and Memric, where bigotry might as well be a competition. Since queer characters exist and face discrimination but still marry and move on, most of the time it feels more like a reminder that bigotry exists rather than an actual obstacle to the plot.

Misogyny: This is another major theme. Rissa and Helane come from different backgrounds and experiences, so the misogyny wasn’t just “women are second-class citizens.” Instead, it explored how background and privilege shape you, showing that even if your experience is bad, it is not universal, and there are always women in worse conditions.

Classism: This one is barely there, likely because all the main characters live in good conditions and one of them is a prince. Still, the book heavily addresses how most victims of necromancy are low-income people, and how rich people use them as tools to flex their status.

Rissa: She is a good character, but she didn’t really have a major character arc. Her growth was more intimate, small, and personal. Living in a world where women are looked down upon (even in her relatively progressive country) her arc centers on wanting to change her surroundings instead of letting her surroundings change her.

Alek: He has a solid character arc. He starts out as a shy, pure, and repressed character who needs to learn to be himself, not just for his own sake, but for his people, since he is a prince.

Gable: He was a fun character, but I wasn't as interested in him as an individual as I was when he was interacting with the rest of the group.

Magic System and worldbuilding: The magic system was confusing, not bad, just confusing. At times, I couldn’t tell if the author wasn’t explaining it well or if I was just missing something. This world practices necromancy and uses bodies to “sin.” There is also a whole concept surrounding "original necromancy" versus new discoveries. I am pretty sure the author built the lore well, but it didn’t translate clearly onto the page.
Related to the worldbuilding, I didn’t quite understand what a “sin” meant in this world. It seemed to mirror real world sinning, but the religious aspect wasn't well developed, so it was hard to tell.

Structure: Even though the story is divided into two parts (each taking place in a different country), there wasn’t enough time to develop everything properly. The mystery in the first half is resolved too easily, and the political intrigue in the second half feels like it's barely starting right before the book ends.

The Ending: I have mixed feelings about the conclusion. I appreciate that this book avoids the “bury your gays” trope, but the ending felt far too utopian to me. I didn’t hate the ending, but it felt rushed.
Overall, I had a good time reading this book. It has a great concept, decent characters, and interesting themes, but it ultimately didn’t reach its full potential.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sally]

Thank you very much to the publisher and to NetGalley for this advance copy!

While there were many things to admire about An Embodiment of Souls, such as the competent prose and the intriguing hook, it did not meet my expectations.

Racism, homophobia, and misogyny (as well as religion and how it can be used as a tool to uphold oppression, though the religion itself is less explored) are ambitious topics to wrestle with in a debut, and while I applaud the intention, I'm not sure Laurel did them justice.

When prejudice is so exaggerated and caricaturised, we limit our understanding of it. Sexism, racism, and homophobia are intrinsically wound into the fabric of our real-world society and are very often not as overt as depicted here. Laurel does explore the insidiousness of misogyny at points, but this is less frequent than I would prefer. Alek, despite being in no way openly misogynistic, displays ignorance about the role and limitations of women in Memric society, and Rissa's function at these times is to correct and educate him—this was good. However, because Memric society is so cartoonishly sexist, this more understated depiction can fade into the background, and overall this aspect lacked subtlety for me.

I found myself struggling to sympathise with the characters. Alek and Rissa lacked agency, and any means to acquire agency. They made poor decisions at every turn and I didn't feel that their characters developed over the course of the book; at almost 80%, Alek was still pretending to be gross and misogynistic in order to conform to the cartoonishly awful societal norms of Memric. Bizarrely, I think the character with the most development is Rissa's father, though I still found any attempt at redemption for him unconvincing.

Overall, I just wasn't convinced. The worldbuilding lacked nuance, the characters felt two-dimensional, the overall plot had some discrepancies and hypocrisies, and the deus ex machina ending all led to an extremely frustrating reading experience. After the promise of the first quarter, I was ultimately let down by An Embodiment of Souls.

[Svea]

First of all: What an incredibly interesting concept this book has! It has necromancers who have two bodies, one of which is beholden to all the laws and regularities of their society, the other of which is allowed to be used for the more fun aspects of society, like showing emotions and enjoying physical closeness. It's a very strict, religious and patriarchal society in which women are forced to support their husband's second body, and only men are allowed to have one anyway. Actually, not having one as a man is considered a weakness, and that's one issue one of the protagonists has to deal with.
It's also an incredibly queer novel even though society as such isn't queerfriendly at all, but both protagonists are queer and there are more queer side characters.

Sadly, the concept is more or less all I actually enjoyed in this novel. It just isn't for me. I didn't feel anything for either characters, the storytelling is at times choppy and so are the relationships. The pacing is all over the place which didn't help keep my interest in the story up, the antagonist isn't properly built up so I just never cared about bringing them down and also wasn't at all emotionally engaged with the Big Final Fight of it all. There are good ideas in here especially when it comes to themes of self worth and identity, of rebellion against strict patriarchal oppression, but it's been done better and these themes get watered down by a sadly very convoluted story full of characters that are only conceptually interesting and complex. Which is basically what this boils down to for me: Great concept, flawed execution. The writing wasn't my cup of tea either, but this is highly subjective and in the end, this is a debut and reads like one. There is much room to grow, but the ideas and creativity to build on are all there.

Many thanks to Union Square & Co and Netgalley for the arc!

[M H]

Review of an advance copy from NetGalley. No incentive was provided in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is quite the debut novel! The story takes notions of body swapping and possession, and asks the question; what if it was not only possible, but expected within a society?

EoS's world-building is enjoyable to read, spinning up 2 societies with very different ways of fitting everyone together. One, technologically sophisticated, largely regarded as liberal and tolerant. The other religious, and bound to a form of theocratic rule that values misogyny, classism, and homophobia as fundamental strictures. Less considered but as fascinating is the notion of historical revisionism. Where a society reshapes it's past in order to support the current narrative. Our 2 POV characters present this interesting dichotomy through their eyes, and with their thinking. Old practices have been forbidden, and doctrine has been warped in order to buttress the pillars of monarchy.

The magical system is a refreshingly different approach to the subject. Men in the upper echelons of society are expected to claim a second body as an extension of their own being. But this practice has societal impacts; wives are kept downtrodden in order to maintain the authority of men. Criminal justice is corrupted in order to maintain the supply of soulless bodies.

It does have a little bit of a YA vibe going for it, but I wouldn't say it bothered me. For anyone curious - the spice level is yogurt.

Despite being a 2 POV story, I genuinely found myself interested in the development of characters like Gable and Helena. Even characters with minimal reference, such as Zeal, felt like they existed for a reason.

For anyone looking for a fantasy story with some depth, and a new take on a fairly well-worn story concept this would be a great read.

[Sage (ON HIATUS FOR WORK)]

3/5 ★★★

Thank you Union Square & Co. & NetGalley for the ARC.

This book took me a while to read. Not because it wasn't great, but the narrative pacing wasn't quite as gripping as the other books I'm currently reading. However, it is written beautifully.

In Memric, magic and a stark patriarchy are inextricably linked. Their systematic misogyny is pretty staggering: women are treated as second class citizens and are barred from practicing magic unless it's to serve men's necromancy, solely because of their gender. Women are being held to an impossible standard of strict purity, meanwhile men are permitted to summon their "second body" to sin on their behalf (wild right? kind of infuriating if you think about it)

Rissa, the FMC grew up with two fathers, one from Memric and the other from Newelin, which influenced the way she grew up. She speaks her mind, is very strong headed and competent. One of her father was then abducted and thats where we meet Alex (royal family btw). He's also a Memric man, but he hasn't been able to summon his second body yet.

You can tell what an author is passionate about by how it translate into their writing. Whilst it's not hard to find books centered on magic or the queer community, it is incredibly difficult to merge both worlds into something that's cohesive and great.

The ending, however, was a little lackluster. I wish relationships were defined more, and the dynamic between the characters could develop before turning the last page. Overall, it's written beautifully and it conveyed the right emotions. If you enjoy deep thematic explorations of societal patriarchy, mystery, the nuances, then I think this book is probably your cup of tea.

[Samantha Lindberg]

I asked Julia to bat away anyone who read faster than me like a cat so I could be the first review. So, if you're reading this now; you lost. I won.

GOODNESS this was such a ride. The Jekyll and Hyde vibes, the lovable characters, the magic lore and deeply explored cultures and peoples! Not to mention the explorations of the immigrant experience, and women's rights. The idea of women being forced to carry other bodies in a magical, figurative way is so prescient to today's society, and such an intelligent critique on patriarchal systems. I was very very pleased with the thematic depth of this novel. As a dedicated feminist horror reader, it also had just the right amount of darkness to keep me hooked.

The characters each played their part so perfectly! It was nice to have a very gentle, friendly, and... somewhat cowardly... MMC in a dark fantasy like this, instead of the brooding, suave, and dangerous boys we're all used to! Alek was adorable and friendly and anxious and anxious and did I mention nervous? His romance and his character arc were so well thought out and his relationships with other characters, especially Rissa, were heartwarming.

Can we talk about the queer rep? So so so refreshing to have QPR representation in this space! The romance was adorable, but the platonic relationships were even better. This book, rightly, treats platonic love as exactly as fulfilling as romantic, and it is amazing and validating to read!

All in all, Julia has done an amazing job creating a complex world with deep lore and compelling characters, and I am so thankful to her and to Union Square for taking me on this journey!

[Tania]

A good fantasy novel with an original plot and interesting characters seems to be rare these days, so this one was a very nice surprise ! Can't believe this is a debut novel, because the world building was just amazing and complex, and the plot was quite unique (and not at all predictable), with a queer romance sub-story that was so satisfying.

Some of the details I really enjoyed:
-the different cultures in both kingdoms: Newel, where society is more open and free, and Memric, more rigid, very religious and quite misogynistic
- the use of necromancy and dark magic
- and especially the concept of First/Second bodies: First bodies are considered pure and must remain unsullied, while Second bodies can be used to sin

And I loved these characters, they are complex and somewhat flawed, but also so very likeable and go through quite some character development. And although we only get 2 POVs (Rissa and Alek) there are actually four main characters, because I consider Gable and Helane to be just as relevant.
The relationships between them were also well developed, not only the romantic ones but also the strong friendships, which I really enjoyed. I also liked Rissa's two fathers, the relationship between them, but also their relationship with Rissa (and would love to read a prequel with the fathers' story someday).

Overall a very strong debut novel, and I will certainly be looking forward to more from Julia Laurel.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy !

[Ven]

wow.
did i run through this book or did it run through me??

if you love:
- beautiful queer-normative worlds
- hope found in bleak situations
- themes of feminism, of living and overcoming puritanical and oppressive ruling
- fast-paced writing and plot
- incredibly unique and fascinating magic systems...

... much like i do, you will LOVE this book.

firstly, the characters. SUCH a massive breath of fresh air. different, multi-faceted, lovable and all so very real. everything about them felt so meaningful and complex, like genuine actual people. i felt SO connected to these characters, it was insane.

secondly, the PREMISE of the world, of the society, just, UGH. i loved every bite, ounce, drop of it.

i'd honestly go on for hours if i weren't worried about spoiling...

this book has the unique magic system, feminine rage, the celebration of being a stubborn and driven woman in a world run by and made for men that Blood Over Bright Haven had, whilst having a society much like the one in The Handmaid's Tale. a combination i DID NOT know i needed, but am now incredibly glad i got to experience.
Laurel's fast-paced and engaging writing style made this book feel like it lasted all of a blink, and i need MORE. to say i'll be reading future Julia Laurel books is an understatement.

please, do yourself the favor and read this when it's out in november!! thank you so much Julia for giving me the opportunity to read, gush, and have it stuck in my head early <3

[Zamantha]

2.5/5 stars.

I requested this book because I was looking forward to the “freshness” and cohesiveness of how necromancy gets to be explored and discussed in the story. I was also intrigued by the book’s cover. Despite the book seemingly piquing my interests, necromancy, and queer representation, I did not think this book was for me. The prose was decent, but I felt that the story dragged on for far too long.

I also didn’t think that the serious themes the book was trying to shine upon were written in a not-so-surface-level way. A lot of attempts to tackle it felt too on the nose or just too weak of an attempt to even strike a chord on my feelings.

Alek and Rissa felt very one-sided and also stagnant in nature. I’d say I wanted this book to be longer to explore the character and the story even better, but even with this length, it has already felt too much.

Lastly, it was already something that I took notice of when I was reading the synopsis. I was doubtful of how much Rissa’s character would be utilized in the story, and I was very disappointed (even if I already expected it) to find out that she suffered the “main character who feels like a side character because it’s all words and no show” disease by being whiny and just not improving every step of the way. It is something I dislike in books—when a female character is written in a way that doesn’t make sense.

I am still thankful to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[queerromancereads ♡]

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Utterly breathtaking. I could not put this book down until I’d finished it. I read it in a single evening. It’s been one of my favourite books I’ve read all year.

A tense atmospheric read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first page to the last, as it barrels headfirst through a gripping plot surrounded by worldbuilding rich with complex magics and sociopolitical issues that really resonate.

These characters have beautiful queer stories richly laced with impactful metaphor.

Rissa makes a deeply compelling character. A stubborn, audacious woman in a world that sees women as little more than what men can take from them. It’s remarkably easy to feel connected to her as she battles for a future that belongs to her. The moment she meets Alek, you just know everything is about to change.

The perspective shifts are used masterfully here to weave between the stories at a pace that keeps you grounded in the action. You really feel as though you get to know these characters, and it’s difficult not to fall in love with them - every nuance, flaw, and layer.

At its heart, this feels like a story about identity, freedom, and love - how much you are willing to risk for this - exploring sexism, toxic masculinity, religious trauma and classism along the way.

[Loren]

Thank you for the ARC!!

2.5 stars.

First thoughts; this “First” and “Second” business is going to take some getting used to.

This review is going to be a little all over the place. Much like my thoughts on this book.

The magic system was fantastic, but it was confusing. I had to go back and reread many sections, and I never did get used to the “First” and “Second” language.

With the story, I often found myself going back over the last few pages I read because I thought I missed something. I didn’t miss anything, it was just written in a way that didn’t compute with my brain.

I feel like this book should have been a duology at least. There was just too much lore to unpack in a single book. There is a lot of commentary on misogyny, homophobia, classism and so on, but I wouldn’t really say they were utilised well. Misogyny was utilised the best, I think. The author uses misogyny of the world to draw similarities between characters that otherwise have little in common.

I struggled with the pacing a little too. It felt very slow a lot of the time. It started out great but very quickly slowed right down. Like, right down. Sometimes I forgot what we were even supposed to be doing.

This book had everything I love; necromancy, diverse representation, political espionage, but for some reason I just didn’t particularly enjoy myself.

[Michelle Wood]

Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy

This was great! I wasn't able to stop talking about it as I was reading it.

What I loved the most was that - in this world of magic, necromancy, two bodies, Memric, and Newell - this is primarily a romance book with several perfectly imperfect characters. I just loved the relationships between Alek and Gable, Rissa and Helane, and Stephan and Victor. Even the platonic relationships between the four main characters were amazing. And the character growth?!

However, if this book has a flaw, it's in the worldbuilding. This is a pretty short book (just under 300 pages in my edition) and the author had a rather complicated world to explain. There's Memric and Newell with two entirely different societies. Then there's the religion, necromancy, two bodies, and mnecromancy. Not to mention the misogyny, sexism, classism, and homophobia that is a part of her world. All of it was interesting and not all of it was fully fleshed out in my opinion. I would have loved it if the book was a bit longer and the world Julia Laurel created felt complete and fully realized to me.

I think there is so much more to explore in Memric and Newell. If this author decides to write another book in this world, you will find me waiting patiently for it's release.

3.5 stars

[Cam Hall]

**Thank you NetGalley for providing early access of this review copy.**

This book had me HOOKED from the very first page. Such a unique take on necromancy, with elements of religion and bodily autonomy sprinkled in throughout. We follow a political mystery through a world that feels deep and nuanced from what you typically see in fantasy today – details like board games and clothing start out as cultural flavour but end up becoming intrinsic to the plot and how the characters make decisions. And BOY do they make some interesting ones! We read through Rissa and Alek’s perspectives, both of whom have understandable desires in a society trying to oppress them. But their wants are often conflicting – FINALLY some protagonist conflict without the all-too-common miscommunication trope. Going a bit into spoiler territory, another trope that’s avoided is the slow burn romance. Don’t get me wrong, it has its place in some stories, but Laurel writes a refreshing take on a romance beginning about 1/3 of the way through the book (with a healthy dose of pining leading up to it) and goes on to show the conflict within the relationship – getting together is not automatically happily-ever-after. In short, I adored every page of this story. While it came to a satisfying conclusion, there’s absolutely room for sequel potential so I wonder if we’ll be seeing Rissa, Alek and Gable again…

[Urraca]

A unique read that I really enjoyed. The magic system (necromancy, multiple bodies, and how all of this relates to religion) struck me as original and well-constructed, although it’s true that it was a bit confusing at first, since I was a little lost in the early chapters. It’s true that everything about Memric Isle is explained in greater detail, but I wish there had been more information about Newel and his magic, although I understand that since it wasn’t the central focus of the book, it was treated as more of a side plot.

As for the characters, I found them all well developed, though I did feel that Gable lacked a bit of depth. I found the storyline between Alek and Gable to be one of the sweetest, and I appreciate that Rissa is an asexual character, which was handled with great tact and fluidity. It’s true that I felt there was a bit of a lack of “friendship-building” between Rissa and Helane, but it didn’t feel forced.

Finally, as far as the plot is concerned, it wasn’t very predictable, and the plot twists were well-crafted. I also like that there are two very distinct parts: what happens on the Memric Isles and what happens in Newel. I’ll be on the lookout for the author’s future releases.

[Victoria De]

Firstly, we will start with the good, this is such a unique concept that intrigued me from the start. The book is well written, and I love the visibility given to a wide range of diverse characters. The story does a good job addressing very real issues such as misogyny, homophobia, and classism, and the magic system/storyline isn’t your basic “Bad wizard necromancer needs defeated”.
However…
I did struggle to connect with the characters, and the pacing wasn’t quite right for me. I found myself confused as to how certain events unfolded and sometimes wondered if I had accidentally skipped a page. This is a potentially lore rich world, but I just don’t think it has translated to page from mind as well as I need to see/understand on the same level of the author. I also found myself frustrated trying to understand the way characters strengths were scaled, and how they managed to achieve the feats they did given their state. So my review reflects my experiences, which are very much me issues. There will undoubtedly be a vast number of readers who will devour this book and love it for all the reasons I found problematic, it just wasn’t for me.

[Lisa]

An Embodiment of Souls is told from the POV of two main characters: Rissa, the daughter of the Memric ambassador, and Alek, a young Memric prince. It is set in a world where necromancy is used to give elite men second bodies, elevating them in power above women and working class men.

I was captivated by the first half of the book. What an absolutely unique concept and new magic system! I found both Alek and Rissa engaging and sympathetic, and got very invested in their story and growth. The secondary characters, like Helane and Gable, were well written with distinct personalities and offered something distinct to the story.

I started to lose interest in the second half. Maybe it was partly the flipping POVs after every few chapters, but I found the writing very choppy and the character growth rushed. The excitement I felt at the beginning waned, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. There just wasn’t enough development in Alek’s backstory for me to care about what happens with his family. I should have been caught up in political intrigue.

What this story did really well was bring up issues of religion, misogyny, monarchies, class divides, race, and queer identity. The themes and concept behind the book were very intriguing, the execution fell a little flat for me. That being said, this is a debut novel, and I think the author has great ideas and a lot of creativity, I’ll be keeping an eye out for her next works.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square and Co. for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.

[George Hobbs]

ARC edition
Behind every great man is a great woman... often times greater that the man.
In this intriguing steampunk-vibed setting, men with the power of necromancy can take over other men's bodies - by evicting their souls. Dark stuff here, but the system has raised everyone to either be a multi-bodied necromancer or to be their fodder. Sons of kings know that older siblings will eventually take them over and sons of day workers know that they could be taken over by aspiring men of power. And the women, they are the magical battery back ups supporting the men with multiple bodies.
Now lets add a layer of religious doctrine - as men, the body you are born into is meant to be kept pure. The additional bodies you take on are the ones that you use to "sin". It is a truly convoluted and twisted world. The primary body of a necromancer is pure, but his mind is operating other bodies that are able to explore every possible debauchery you can think of.
But the women have the same power. Doctrine dictates their roles in life. Ponder this and discuss.

[Imogen L]

Review of ARC from Netgalley

This was a really interesting book, with a very unique take on necromancy that I found both interesting and horrifying.
I almost put this book down and never picked it up again because I truly hate stories that focus on women’s marginalisation and abuse as a major plot piece, but I decided to continue because I wanted to see where it would go; if the women would be freed from basically slavery to greedy and ignorant husbands.
I became more interested in the story as Rissa’s character started taking power for herself, broke the rules, and became an instrumental piece in the narrative. I did also feel for Alek, burdened by the weight of years of religious trauma and abuse, terrified of being himself or acknowledging his wants for fear of having his body stolen.
I really thought, when Patrik was introduced, that the story would go in a different direction, and was surprised at how that played out.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, though once again the author has done nothing to reduce my hatred of men and organised religion.

[Anna]

4 stars
Well, this gave a whole new meaning to a husband draining the life out of his wife.

This book was a breath of fresh air. I was honestly surprised to find out that it's a debut because it has one of the most interesting and unique magic and religious systems I've ever read (and I read a lot of fantasy). Rissa, Alek, Gable, and Helane were great characters and I really appreciated the emphasis on the importance of platonic love and Rissa's asexuality.

I would say I think it reads more YA than adult both character and plot-wise (the main characters 19-21 ish) but it was still a full, complicated (I was admittedly a wee bit lost at times) story that explored a lot of important themes. If the author decides to write any more books, whether they be set in this world or another, I'll definitely be picking them up.

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review)

[Ana]

This is a difficult review to write because I did DNF this at 46%. I really like what the author is trying to do here - the magic system is unique and interesting, the representation of the LGBTQIA+ communities is also refreshing and something I am very happy to read about.

However, the story and characters have fallen flat for me. The writing style is great, very enjoyable, but the pacing was a little all over the place, there was nothing that hooked me to keep me reading. I think the bones are there, but it just doesn't quite work for me.

I would like to see some more getting to know each of our main characters, they felt very surface level and I found I didn't really care about any of them.

I'm truly sorry I had to DNF this because I wanted so badly to love it, but unfortunately I couldn't push through.

1.5⭐️

[Stefanie]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review

I really liked the potential this book had, the magic and the world are really interesting. The plot that leads to unravelling all sorts of mysteries and has actual consequences in part of the world was something I really liked as well.
It all fell a bit flat for me with the execution however. I would have liked more showing than telling, which automatically would have provided more depth to the characters and the story and more engagement with it. The different cultures and the history of the magic could have been more fleshed out to make the world feel more real.
The bones of the story were certainly good and it was easy to follow, I just would have liked a bit more from it. I had quite a good time with it regardless.
I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

[Joyce]

I want to thank Julia Laurel and NetGalley for this ARC copy.

The story is about Rissa, Alex, and Gable trying to solve this mystery and adventure that they are on. Trying to fight this conspiracy and politics on the way. Mostly this book is about the love story between the characters. I liked that it has a nice way of showing the romance without all the spice.

The concept of Necromancy was fascinating to me and how it is built in this story. It took me a little bit to get used to all the different bodies and how it worked. I also feel this story could have dived deeper into this and the worlds they lived in.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and this world that Julia Laurel had created.

[Kai]

A book for "secret third thing" lovers.
A rather world building centered story about people, what they mean to each other, and what matters. A focus on people who love each other, people who are lovers, and what we do for them.
I found the story to be interesting throughout, and I loved the magic system and how it played into the politics of the world. It does feel a bit YA, but that's not so much a fault as simply an observation. As a former Christian, I loved watching a cultural system built around the concept of sin for the sake of keeping a few elite in power be broken down by people who simply cannot see caring about others as sinful any longer.
(I received a free copy for review)

[Wendy Romashuk]

In the beginning of the book I didn’t really understand what was going on with the necromancers and having “seconds”. I ended up reading the first chapter twice before I finally got into the story.

What I liked was the search for her “father” Victor, it was promising. But there were other themes that started to annoy me. To me it felt like talking about being (or wanting to be) queer was becoming the main objective and the storyline came second.

I thought the story started out strong with Rissa and her powers but in the second half of the book things were really hard to believe.
I finished the book but was already thinking about what I wanted to read next.